Is Power BI included with Business Central?

Power BI is not bundled into Business Central, but it connects to it natively. You can use the free version for basic dashboards, with Power BI Pro typically used for sharing, collaboration and scheduled refresh.

Do you need Power BI if you already have Business Central?

If you rely on spreadsheets or want automated, real-time reporting, Power BI is the natural reporting layer for Business Central. It turns static reports into interactive dashboards your team can explore and share.

Is Power BI difficult for finance teams to learn?

Most finance users pick up Power BI quickly because it feels familiar to Excel. Once the right datasets and dashboards are in place, it is straightforward to filter, drill down and export data.

How often does Power BI update Business Central data?

Data can be refreshed manually at any time or on an automatic schedule, such as hourly or daily. This keeps month-end packs and KPI dashboards up to date without extra manual work.

Can Power BI report across multiple Business Central companies?

Yes. Power BI can pull data from multiple Business Central companies into a single model, enabling unified, consolidated reporting without exporting to Excel.

Power BI Guide
for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central

Written by:

Steve Harper, Business Central Consultant

Last updated: 18th September 2025

Turn your Business Central data into clear, actionable insight

Most Business Central users know there’s a lot of valuable data in the system — but don’t always get the visibility they need. Month-end packs still rely on spreadsheets, reporting is slower than it should be, and leadership wants dashboards that actually tell a story.

That’s where Power BI for Business Central comes in.

This guide shows you exactly how to connect the two, what dashboards to build, and how finance, operations and leadership teams can use Power BI to make faster, smarter decisions.

Why Power BI is the natural reporting layer for Business Central

Power BI brings your Business Central data to life through interactive dashboards that update automatically.
Instead of exporting spreadsheets and manipulating data, your reports are always live and always accurate.

Real-time insight without waiting for month-end

KPIs your leadership actually use

Dashboards for finance, operations, sales and projects

Automated refreshes that remove manual reporting

A single source of truth everyone can trust

Dashboards teams actually use.

Rather than overwhelming users with data, Power BI allows each team to have dashboards tailored to their role.

These dashboards replace manual reports and allow faster decisions every day — not just at month-end.

01

For Finance Leaders

A clear, at-a-glance view of revenue, profit, cash and key risks — updated throughout the day so decisions are based on live numbers, not last week’s spreadsheets.

03

For Operations

Instant insight into stock levels, supplier performance, purchasing activity and fulfilment — making it easier to spot issues early and keep processes moving smoothly.

02

For Finance Teams

Real-time visibility of bank activity, open orders, overdue items, approvals and month-end status — helping the team stay ahead of daily tasks and close faster.

04

For Sales

Live tracking of sales performance, margins, pipeline and customer behaviour — giving sales teams clarity on what's working and where to focus next.

Our Kickstart Approach

Fixed Price, Fixed Scope

No hidden extras.

You’ll know exactly what’s included and how much it will cost before we start. No creeping scope, no surprise invoices.

Go Live Fast

Days, not months.

Traditional ERP projects drag on. KickStart is streamlined to deliver the essentials finance teams need most, so you see value quickly.

Best Practice Setup

Built for finance.

We provide tried-and-tested templates: chart of accounts, dimensions, and workflows designed for UK finance teams. Less guesswork, more confidence.

Scales With You

Expand when you're ready.

KickStart gets you live quickly, but it doesn’t box you in. Add automation, AI, reporting packs, or industry-specific modules when the time is right.

This is how you start smart.

Configuration

We configure your system to industry best practices

Training

We train you on the modules you'll use from day one

Support

You are live and off with flying colours - with support on standby when you need it.

Data Import

We upload your data based on templates we'll send you

Monitor

Ready to rock? Test and make sure everything is working correctly

Once you are live and are used to the system, this is when we can look at your different priorities for setting up additional phases of the project.

7 Day Implementation

Power BI + Business Central: What You Gain

Many Business Central users rely on manual Excel reporting or built-in reports. Power BI takes things much further — turning your Business Central data into live dashboards your team can actually rely on.

Power BI transforms Business Central from a transactional system into a true decision-making platform.

Case Study:

Transforming Reporting for a Growing Professional Services Business

Example Scenario Based on Real Projects

Company Background

A UK professional services company using Business Central needed clearer reporting across finance, operations and leadership. Their existing reports were heavily Excel-driven, slow to update, and difficult to share across teams.

Solution

We implemented a set of tailored Power BI dashboards connected directly to Business Central, covering: